Labial Adhesion Secondary to Lichen Sclerosus Masked by Vulvar Hailey-Hailey Disease.

Labial adhesions in postmenopausal women are caused by various inflammatory processes in the context of estrogen deficiency. Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic, progressive condition characterized by idiopathic epithelial thinning of the anogenital region with symptoms of significant pruritus, discomfort, and dyspareunia. Early diagnosis and treatment of LS can prevent disease progression, leading to labial adhesions and malignancy. We present an 84-year-old woman with long-standing vulvar Hailey-Hailey disease who developed labial adhesions. Clinical examination with vulvar biopsy revealed histopathological findings consistent with LS. Surgical separation of the labia by blunt dissection was then performed, and clobetasol ointment and vaginal dilatators were postoperatively prescribed. This resulted in a significant improvement in her symptoms. This is the first reported case of LS in a patient with Hailey-Hailey disease.

Epidemiological Indicators of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Vaccination Effectiveness on the Report of Positive Cases in the Colombian Army.

The description of the epidemiological indicators of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), such as the mortality rate (MR), the case fatality rate (CFR), and the attack rate (AR), as well as the geographical distribution and daily case reports, are used to evaluate the impact that this virus has had within the Colombian Army and its health system. As military forces around the world represent the force that defends sovereignty, independence, the integrity of the national territory, and the constitutional order, while maintaining migration controls in blocked border areas during this critical pandemic times, they must carry out strict epidemiological surveillance to control the situation among the servicemen. Up to date, the Colombian Army has faced a very high attack rate (AR = 8.55%) due, among others, to living conditions where active military personnel share bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining facilities, which facilitate the spread of the virus. However, being a mainly young and healthy population, the MR was 1.82 deaths/1,000 ha, while the CFR = 2.13% indexes consistently low if compared with those values reported for the national population. In addition, the effectiveness of vaccination is shown in daily cases of COVID-19, where, for the third peak, the active military population presented a decrease of positive patients compared to the dynamics of national transmission and the total population of the military forces (active, retired, and beneficiaries).

Ileocolonic intussusception due to severe endometriosis.

Endometriosis is the presence of normal endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which may appear in up to 15% of fertile female population. Bowel endometriosis is uncommon, and obstruction due to endometrial ileocolic intussusception is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of a 27-year-old female who presented with bowel obstruction due to ileocolic intussusception secondary to endometriosis. A 27-year-old female, without pregnancies, and with a 1 year history of endometriosis presented to the emergency department referring severe abdominal pain in right lower quadrant, nausea and vomiting, she had medical history of prior episodes of mild abdominal pain due to endometriosis with OB/GYN follow-up. Physical examination revealed abdominal distension with decreased bowel movements to auscultation. A CT scan reported suspicion of intussusception. Colonoscopy was ordered, where an ileocolic intussusception was found. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, and the initial diagnosis was confirmed. A right hemicolectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis was achieved without any surgical complications. The patient was discharge on postoperative day 4 and continues doing well on a 12 month follow-up. Ileocolic intussusception due to endometriosis is a very rare condition, and it must be considered a differential diagnosis in female patients in reproductive age, when presenting with intestinal obstruction.

Phylogenomic Evidence of Reinfection and Persistence of SARS-CoV-2: First Report from Colombia.

The continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of novel variants have raised concerns about possible reinfection events and potential changes in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission dynamics. Utilizing Oxford Nanopore technologies, we sequenced paired samples of three patients with positive RT-PCR results in a 1-2-month window period, and subsequent phylogenetics and genetic polymorphism analysis of these genomes was performed. Herein, we report, for the first time, genomic evidence of one case of reinfection in Colombia, exhibiting different SARS-CoV-2 lineage classifications between samples (B.1 and B.1.1.269). Furthermore, we report two cases of possible viral persistence, highlighting the importance of deepening our understanding on the evolutionary intra-host traits of this virus throughout different timeframes of disease progression. These results emphasize the relevance of genomic surveillance as a tool for understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics, and how this may translate effectively to future control and mitigations efforts, such as the national vaccination program.

The best cardiovascular risk calculator to predict carotid plaques in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Chronic inflammation and traditional risk factors increase cardiovascular risk (CVR) in these patients. Several CVR calculators are used in general population and in RA patients to predict cardiovascular outcomes and tailor therapy but the precision of these calculators in RA patients has yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to determine which risk calculator correlates best with carotid ultrasound (US) findings, specifically carotid plaque (CP) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in RA patients without clinical manifestations. This was a cross-sectional observational study relating CVR scores in RA patients with the presence of carotid US findings. A total of 97 patients 40 to 75 years old who fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR and/or the 1987 ACR classification criteria for RA were selected. Clinical assessment of cardiovascular risk was performed using seven calculators and carotid US measurement of intima-media thickness and plaque. The tests with the highest sensitivity for CIMT were the Framingham BMI, Framingham lipids, ACC/AHA 2013, and QRISK2. In CP, the highest sensitivity was in QRISK2, SCORE, and ACC/AHA 2013. RA patients should be comprehensively evaluated to detect cardiovascular risk. Carotid US may be routinely recommended to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients. A lower cutoff point in CVR scales may be necessary to identify patients with a low and intermediate CVR to detect subclinical atherosclerosis earlier and personalize therapy.

Calpain-1 and calpain-2 play opposite roles in retinal ganglion cell degeneration induced by retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Calpain has been shown to be involved in neurodegeneration, and in particular in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death resulting from increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and ischemia. However, the specific roles of the two major calpain isoforms, calpain-1 and calpain-2, in RGC death have not been investigated. Here, we show that calpain-1 and calpain-2 were sequentially activated in RGC dendrites after acute IOP elevation. By combining the use of a selective calpain-2 inhibitor (C2I) and calpain-1 KO mice, we demonstrated that calpain-1 activity supported survival, while calpain-2 activity promoted cell death of RGCs after IOP elevation. Calpain-1 activation cleaved PH domain and leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) and activated the Akt pro-survival pathway, while calpain-2 activation cleaved striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) and activated STEP-mediated pro-death pathway in RGCs after IOP elevation. Systemic or intravitreal C2I injection to wild-type mice 2h after IOP elevation promoted RGC survival and improved visual function. Our data indicate that calpain-1 and calpain-2 play opposite roles in high IOP-induced ischemic injury and that a selective calpain-2 inhibitor could prevent acute glaucoma-induced RGC death and blindness.

La ingestión de cáusticos en el niño: un problema de salud pública / The caustic ingestion in children: a public health problem

La ingestión de cáusticos en la edad pediátrica es un problema grave al producir una lesión progresiva y devastadora en el esófago y el estómago. Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 421 pacientes en edades comprendidas de 2 meses a 14 años quienes ingirieron cáusticos entre 1.992 y 2.008, evaluados en el Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. El 60,09% eran pre-escolares y el 62,23% eran del sexo masculino. La sustancia tipo álcali fue ingerida en el 90,73% de los casos y los cáusticos se encontraban almacenados en su envase original en 3,8% y trasegados en el 96,2% de los casos. La ingestión fue de origen accidental en el 99,53%. Todos los pacientes manifestaron alguna sintomatología como lesiones orofaríngeas, vómitos y sialorrea. La evaluación endoscópica se realizó en el 89,31% de los casos y se evidenció lesiones en el tracto gastrointestinal en 60,63%. Los pacientes con Esofagitis Grado III y estenosis esofágica fueron incluidos en el programa de dilatación, con una buena evolución en el 35,91% de ellos. La ingestión de cáusticos constituye un problema frecuente y serio, en su mayoría de origen accidental, afecta principalmente a menores de 6 años y el álcali es el principal agente involucrado. La Endoscopia Digestiva es el estudio por excelencia para evaluar estos pacientes. Las dilataciones esofágicas son moderadamente exitosas. El mejor tratamiento es la prevención.

The caustic ingestion in the pediatric population is a serious problem because produce a progressive and devastating injury to the esophagus and stomach. Retrospective and descriptive study of 421 patients with age from 2 months to 14 years who ingested caustic between 1.992 to 2.008 evaluated at the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. The 60.09% were pre-school and 62.23% were male. The substance type alkali was swallowed by 90.73% of cases and the caustics were stored in its original packaging by 3.8% and decanted in 96.2% of cases. Intake was accidental source in 99.53%. All patients showed some symptoms as oropharyngeal lesions, vomiting and drooling. Endoscopy evaluation was performed by 89.31% of cases and revealed gastrointestinal tract injuries in 60.63%. Patients with grade 3 Esophagitis and esophageal stricture were admitted in the dilatation program with a good success in 35.91% of them. The caustic ingestion is a common and serious problem, mostly from accidental origin, mainly affects children under 6 years and the alkali is the principal agent involved. The Esophagoscopy is the ideal mean for evaluate these patients. The esophageal dilatations are moderately successful. The best treatment is the prevention.

[Renal trauma stage IV in a boy treated in a nonoperative form. Report of a clinical case]. / Trauma renal grado IV en un niño tratado en forma no operatoria. Reporte de caso clínico.

The clinical case of a 6 years old boy, who presented severe right renal trauma with rupture of the pyelocaliceal system and renal injury (IV grade), is reported. Upon admittance to emergency he presented paleness, tachycardia, rapid pulse, intense pain in the right lumbar region and macroscopic hematuria. Using abdominal ultrasound scan, an injury of the right renal parenchyma with perirenal collection was shown. Hematology studies showed a decrease in the hemoglobin count of 3,1 g% during the first posttraumatic 48 hours. A non-surgical conservative treatment was decided, since the patient's hemodynamic status held stable despite the hemoglobin alterations. To treat renal injury, a percutaneous catheter drainage was placed in the right perirenal space on day 16th from the accident. The patient was released after this treatment and was controlled as an outpatient, until the rupture of the excretory urinary system was sealed (3 weeks), when the patient returned to have the catheter removed. The patient's progress was excellent, the kidney was preserved and no complications have occurred in a 6 months follow up after the injury. The non-surgical treatment in renal trauma with injury to the excretory system is effective and advisable in children, provided the patients are hemodynamically stable.

Trauma renal grado IV en un niño tratado en forma no operatoria: reporte de caso clínico / Renal trauma stage IV in a boy treated in a nonoperative form: report of a clinical case

Se reporta el caso clínico de escolar masculino de 6 años de edad, quien presentó trauma renal derecho severo con ruptura del sistema pielocaliceal y estallido renal (grado IV). Al ingreso en la emergencia presentó palidez cutánea, taquicardia, taquifigmia, dolor intenso en región lumbar derecha y hematuria macroscópica. A través de ecografía abdominal se demostró lesión del parénquima renal derecho con colección perirenal. Estudios hematológicos evidenciaron descenso de las cifras de hemoglobina de 3,1 g% en las primeras 48 horas posterior al trauma. Se decidió el manejo conservador no operatorio debido a que el estado hemodinámico del paciente se mantuvo estable a pesar de las alteraciones en la hemoglobina. Para tratar la lesión renal, se colocó catéter de drenaje percutáneo en espacio peri renal derecho a los 16 días del accidente. El paciente egresó después de este procedimiento y se controló en forma ambulatoria hasta sellarse la ruptura del sistema urinario excretor (3 semanas), cuando reingresó para el retiro del catéter. La evolución del paciente fue excelente; se preservó el riñón y no ha presentado complicaciones en 6 meses de seguimiento posterior a la lesión. El tratamiento no quirúrgico en el trauma renal con lesión del sistema excretor es efectivo y recomendable en niños, cuando los pacientes se encuentran hemodinamicamente estables.

The clinical case of a 6 years old boy, who presented severe right renal trauma with rupture of the pyelocaliceal system and renal injury (IV grade), is reported. Upon admittance to emergency he presented paleness, tachycardia, rapid pulse, intense pain in the right lumbar region and macroscopic hematuria. Using abdominal ultrasound scan, an injury of the right renal parenchyma with perirenal collection was shown. Hematology studies showed a decrease in the hemoglobin count of 3,1 g% during the first posttraumatic 48 hours. A non-surgical conservative treatment was decided, since the patient’s hemodynamic status held stable despite the hemoglobin alterations. To treat renal injury, a percutaneous catheter drainage was placed in the right perirenal space on day 16th from the accident. The patient was released after this treatment and was controlled as an outpatient, until the rupture of the excretory urinary system was sealed (3 weeks), when the patient returned to have the catheter removed. The patient´s progress was excellent, the kidney was preserved and no complications have occurred in a 6 months follow up after the injury. The non-surgical treatment in renal trauma with injury to the excretory system is effective and advisable in children, provided the patients are hemodynamically stable.

Programa de vigilancia centinela de VIH en mujeres embarazadas que asisten a su control prenatal en las maternidades del distrito Numero 1 de la ciudad de La Paz / Sentinel caution program VIII in women embarrassed that they attend its prenatal control in the maternity of the district 1 of the city of La Paz

En contraposición a otras epidemias de origen infeccioso, el VIH se caracteriza por una adquisición relacionada con la conducta de las personas, un largo período de encubación, generalmente carente de signos y síntomas clínicos y una letalidad cercana al (cien por ciento). Las estrategias clásicas basadas en el aislamiento y la vacunación no son posibles en esta epidemia. La fuente y el reservorio son las personas infectadas, la cadena de transmisión radica en sus conductas y por el momento no existe una vacuna capaz de proteger a los más vulnerables. Afecta a personas jóvenes y ha causado más de (doce millones) de muertes en el mundo, hecho por el que las percusiones familiares,sociales, sanitarias, laborales y económicas justifican un alto grado de sensibilización social...